He throws back the last of his beer and stands. “Deal, sweetheart”
I sigh. “Three rules. Don’t call me sweetheart.”
2
Cassidy
Thick T-shirt fabric balled in my fist, I tug him along behind me until we’re close enough to Derek that he’s sure to see us, but far enough away to make it seem unintentional. Standing closer to him than ever before, I slide my hands across the coarse stubble on Red’s face and kiss him. A soft brush of our lips. It’s not a great kiss by any means. Probably not even a convincing one—it feels icky and wrong, like when a family member accidentally kisses you on the lips instead of the cheek. When we pull apart, I swear I hear Derek’s laugh.
So kissing isn’t enough, then.
“Let’s go.” I grab Red’s hand, and he follows without hesitation—unexpectedly smart enough to adhere to my rule about not saying anything stupid. Fingers interlaced with mine, he obediently walks out of the beer garden, past the closed vendor booths, and through the rows of parked vehicles.
“I get that I’m not supposed to say anything stupid, but I’m starting to worry you’re about to murder me.”
“I know you brought condoms. Where’s your truck?”
He stops in his tracks and stares at me. “What the fuck is happening?”
Truthfully, I’m not sure what’s happening either. I’m just riding the high, doing whatever my jacked-up emotions and the liquor are telling me to do. “Um… Well, if you agree to it, I was going to see if you’d fuck me on the hood of my ex’s car. Payback, you know?”
Red throws his head back with a gut-busting laugh. “Holy. Shit. I don’t know, Cass. That’s wild.”
“I asked you because you’re the most unhinged man I know. If you won’t, then point me in the direction of someone who will.” My cheeks flame, burning my entire body from the inside out. I hadn’t considered whether he might turn me down.Shit.I press a finger to my eye to hold back the embarrassed tears.
“I don’t think you want to do this.”
“You don’t know what the fuck I want. You’re here because I didn’t want somebody who would try and talk me out of it. I just…” I’m starting to lose momentum now. “I forced myself to get dressed and put makeup on to come here, stupidly thinking I’d have a fun night. Then he shows up with the girl he’s been cheating with for months, Shelby ditches me, and I’m stuck spending the night with you. I ran into Derek on my way out earlier, and he acted like I’m an ugly, pitiful loser. I hate it. I want to do something to get back at him—I don’t even care if he ever finds out about it. Just, for once, I want to feel like I have a little bit of fucking power. I’m so tired of being the mature, polite, responsible one.”
“He was wrong. You’re beautiful.”
“Thanks for the fake flattery. You’re right, asking you to do this was unhinged andsonot me. I don’t do this kind of thing. I’m gonna head home.”
He holds my shoulders, preventing me from spinning around to leave. “I’m not trying to kiss your ass. You do look beautiful. Not pitiful at all… even with your red face and crazy eyes. If you’re serious about this…” He studies me in the faint glow of distant headlights, and the way his eyes bore into mine makes something in my heart trip up. Like he can see right through me. My head barely moves with a subconscious nod. “Fuck—okay, I’ll do it. But we’re making sure we leave behind enough evidence that he knows.”
All I can do is nod again like a bobble head.
“Oh, and Cass? If your dad finds out about this somehow, you’re taking the blame because I refuse to be banned from the only bar in town.”
“Oh my God. I can assure you he’s the last person who would ever know about this. Glad to see your priorities are straight though, Red.”
“You’re one to talk.” He smirks as his hands finally leave my shoulders.
“If we’re doing this, I need you to fuck me like you hate me. Don’t tell me I’m beautiful again or pretend like this is more than a quick revenge fuck.”
“You think I was planning on making love on the hood of your ex’s car?” He snorts. “Be right back.”
In the time it takes for him to walk to his truck and back, my thoughts oscillate until I’m feeling dizzy. A little nauseous, even. This is probably a stupid idea… but wouldn’t it be nice to know I kind of got him back? Red has more red flags than most guys I know… but he’s also the one guy here who might be willing to do this. Simultaneously trying to talk myself into and out of this reckless plan, I locate Derek’s obnoxious red car and lean against it with an anxious exhale.
This is just two people about to have purely transactional sex—he gets to come, and I get to feel like I stuck it to my ex. I exclusively see him at rodeos and the bar, where he’s too busy with his friends and other women to give a shit about me. So there are minimal opportunities for things to get awkward, right?
“So, where are we doing this?” His voice forces me out of my spiraling thoughts.
“Oh, um… right here.” I point to the hood I’m resting on. My heart races as he steps forward, rough hands falling to my bare knees.
“You sure you want—”
“Yes. Like you hate me, remember?” I allow my thighs to drift apart, making room for him to get even closer. Goosebumps prickle up in thewake of his fingers, leaving me shuddering as his calloused hands stroke my legs.
